Stem cell and dental pulp harvesting method and apparatus

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for recovering dental pulp from dentition of a donor are disclosed, wherein the pulp from within extracted teeth utilizing such methods and apparatus is harvested, while preserving a sterile environment and avoiding trauma and infection, and stem cells, dendritic cells, and other cells isolating from the pulp, and the various cells propagated and expanded for subsequent use in repair or regeneration of tissues of the body, for therapeutic treatments, and other medical purposes.

1 . A method for collecting and treating tooth pulp comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining a tooth from a donor;    treating the tooth with sterilizing medium to create a sterile field around the tooth;    treating the tooth with an isotonic solution;    dissecting the tooth by breaking it into the components of hard tooth fragments to which little or no tooth pulp adheres, and hard tooth fragments to which tooth pulp adheres, and tooth pulp free from hard tooth fragments;    separating tooth pulp from the hard tooth fragments to which little or not tooth pulp adheres, and from hard tooth fragments to which tooth pulp adheres; and    gathering the separated tooth pulp and the tooth pulp free from hard tooth fragments.    
     
     
         2 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 1 , wherein the isotonic solution contains anti-coagulant.  
     
     
         3 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 1 , further comprising isolating hematopoietic cells from the tooth pulp.  
     
     
         4 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 3 , further comprising propagating the hematopoietic cells.  
     
     
         5 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 4 , further comprising storing the hematopoietic cells for further use.  
     
     
         6 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 1 , further comprising isolating adult stem cells from the tooth pulp.  
     
     
         7 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 6 , further comprising propagating the adult stem cells.  
     
     
         8 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 7 , further comprising storing the adult stem cells for further use.  
     
     
         9 . A method for collecting and treating tooth pulp comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining a tooth from a donor;    treating the tooth with sterilizing medium to create a sterile field around the tooth;    treating the tooth with isotonic solution to dilute the sterilizing medium;    manipulating the pulp within the tooth pulp chamber to remove the pulp from the pulp chamber.    gathering the tooth pulp removed from the tooth.    
     
     
         10 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 9 , wherein the isotonic solution contains anti-coagulant.  
     
     
         11 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 10 , further comprising isolating hematopoietic cells from the tooth pulp.  
     
     
         12 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 11 , further comprising propagating the hematopoietic cells.  
     
     
         13 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 12 , further comprising storing the hematopoietic cells for further use.  
     
     
         14 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 9 , further comprising isolating adult stem cells from the tooth pulp.  
     
     
         15 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 14 , further comprising propagating the adult stem cells.  
     
     
         16 . The method for collecting and treating tooth pulp of  claim 15 , further comprising storing the adult stem cells for further use.  
     
     
         17 . A method for using a tooth collection kit comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining a tooth;    placing the tooth into a first sterilization compartment of the collection kit;    utilizing a ladle, removing the tooth from the first sterilization compartment, and placing the tooth into a second compartment of the collection kit containing neutral solution; and    sealing the second compartment of the collection kit.    
     
     
         18 . The method for using a tooth collection kit of  claim 17 , further comprising placing the second compartment of the collection kit into a refrigerator.